The Care International spokeswoman said Hassan, head of the charity's operations in Iraq, had deep roots in the country.

"We want to stress that she sees herself as an Iraqi. Iraq is her home. She has been living there for many years and would never consider coming back to Britain," said the spokeswoman, says Stuff News.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ms Hassan is believed to be the eighth foreign woman to be abducted. All the others have been released unharmed.

Most international aid agencies withdrew their foreign staff after two Italian women aid workers were kidnapped in Baghdad last month and held for three weeks.